Dennis V. The Case: Dennis Vs. The United States
William Rankin
CP Government
7th Period
24 September, 2014
Dennis VS. The United States The case Dennis VS. The United States is a case that has largely to do with First Amendment rights. In this case, one side argues that the American Government should not be allowed to infringe upon an individual’s rights and the other side argues that the government should be allowed the power to limit rights dealing with freedom of speech in order to ensure national security. The findings in this case allow for many of the security precautions which our government takes today. If a threat is proposed to the country the government should have the power to limit rights stated in the First Amendment. The Smith Act which was made in 1940, states that it is illegal to conspire to violently overthrow the government or to be part of a group which promotes such a cause. In 1948, Eugene Dennis and several members of the American Communist Party are arrested for violating the Smith Act by promoting violent ideas to overthrow the United States Government. Although no solid evidence existed that Dennis or the other members of the group had any plans of violence, …show more content…
They argue that this act is unconstitutional and that Dennis should be considered innocent. It is also argued that there is no evidence of Dennis or his colleagues promoting a violent overthrow. The United States argues that with the best interest of the nation’s security in mind the government should be allowed to restrict individual rights regarding freedom of speech if the individual seems to be proposing a great threat to the nation. With the growing fear in the country at this time due to the Cold War, it was a deep concern that a violent takeover of the government could take place. Therefore, the teaching of communism within the United States clearly proposed a threat which would cause concern and
CP Government
7th Period
24 September, 2014
Dennis VS. The United States The case Dennis VS. The United States is a case that has largely to do with First Amendment rights. In this case, one side argues that the American Government should not be allowed to infringe upon an individual’s rights and the other side argues that the government should be allowed the power to limit rights dealing with freedom of speech in order to ensure national security. The findings in this case allow for many of the security precautions which our government takes today. If a threat is proposed to the country the government should have the power to limit rights stated in the First Amendment. The Smith Act which was made in 1940, states that it is illegal to conspire to violently overthrow the government or to be part of a group which promotes such a cause. In 1948, Eugene Dennis and several members of the American Communist Party are arrested for violating the Smith Act by promoting violent ideas to overthrow the United States Government. Although no solid evidence existed that Dennis or the other members of the group had any plans of violence, …show more content…
They argue that this act is unconstitutional and that Dennis should be considered innocent. It is also argued that there is no evidence of Dennis or his colleagues promoting a violent overthrow. The United States argues that with the best interest of the nation’s security in mind the government should be allowed to restrict individual rights regarding freedom of speech if the individual seems to be proposing a great threat to the nation. With the growing fear in the country at this time due to the Cold War, it was a deep concern that a violent takeover of the government could take place. Therefore, the teaching of communism within the United States clearly proposed a threat which would cause concern and